Newsletter

Only a few months after launching The Road Ahead, our new three-year strategic framework, ACLU of Colorado has already started work within our three core issue areas to expand and protect civil rights and civil liberties for all Coloradans. In this newsletter, you will read more about how The Road Ahead has guided our efforts at the 2023 legislative session, in hiring new staff, and how our new legal director will use it to transform future litigation.

In this edition:

Our Journey Toward The Road Ahead

I recently reached a milestone — completing my second year serving as Executive Director of ACLU of Colorado. During my tenure, we conducted a statewide listening tour to hear what issues matter to Coloradans and adopted a new three-year strategic framework, The Road Ahead, which will leverage our tools of litigation, legislation and advocacy.

ACLU organizers and supporters at the Capitol during LIFT People 2023.

LIFT People LIFTs New Voices

What is LIFT? Lobbying is for The People (LIFT) is the ACLU of Colorado’s annual education, training and mobilization program that gives new and established activists from across the state the tools they need to influence state legislation.

Priorities of the People

Anaya Robinson, ACLU of Colorado's Senior Policy Strategist testifying at a House Judiciary Committee hearing at the State Capitol.

Shortly after launching The Road Ahead, a three-year strategic framework to guide our work at the ACLU of Colorado, we jumped into the hard work ahead at the Colorado State Capitol.

Meet our New Legal Director, Tim Mcdonald

ACLU of Colorado is honored to welcome Tim Macdonald as our new Legal Director. Tim was brought on as the Legal Director of the ACLU of Colorado in March 2023.

ACLU of Colorado Appeals Nash v. Mikesell Ruling

The ACLU of Colorado is taking its lawsuit, Nash v. Mikesell — which challenges the Teller County Sheriff’s 287(g) agreement with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — to the Colorado Court of Appeals.

Meet our New Staff

We are pleased to welcome new staff to the ACLU of Colorado team! These positions are essential to continue our organization in The Road Ahead, our years-long strategic roadmap to protect and expand civil rights and civil liberties for all Coloradans with a focus on immigrant, Indigenous, and racial justice.

Date

Tuesday, June 20, 2023 - 9:00am

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Read more about 2023 Spring/Summer Newsletter

In this newsletter, you will read about our new strategic framework. It is the strongest and most visionary work in our 70-year history. You will also learn about our work engaging voters to help defend civil rights this past election, our critical work fighting in the courts, and our presence in communities learning from people across the state.

In this edition:

Becoming the Model of Democracy

Fourteen years ago, responding to the exhortations, “Change” and “Yes We Can,” the young voters of this country helped make history when we elected our first Black president.

The Road Ahead

The Road Ahead is a product of an intensive, year-long strategic planning process that included multiple rounds of input from stakeholders all over the state, ACLU of Colorado Board of Directors, and ACLU staff.

2023 at the Capitol

Now that the dust has settled from election season and we have a clear view of the landscape to come for the 2023 legislative session, ACLU of Colorado is moving full steam ahead to continue the work of our new and growing Advocacy and Strategic Alliances department.

Fight Alongside Communities, Not Just for Them

Despite the challenges my community faces, we still show up for grassroots fundraisers, petitions, and protests but most importantly, we vote.

AN UNLAWFUL RAID OF GRANDMOTHER'S MONTBELLO HOME

Photo of Ruby Johnson outside of her home

“Police department with a search warrant — come to the door with your hands up.” When officers from the Denver Police department yelled these words, they forever altered 77-year-old Ms. Ruby Johnson’s quiet life.

To this day, the words continue to haunt her.

Happening in the Courts

Running with Conviction

In May 2021, ACLU of Colorado sued the City of Aurora for blocking Candice Bailey, a candidate with a prior felony conviction, from running for public office.

Purple Cliffs

Purple Cliffs is an encampment for people experiencing houselessness in Durango that has been operating since 2018.

Organizer holding canvassing resources outdoors

We Are the Vote

Democracy doesn’t run on autopilot. Democracy runs on participation that begins with our bedrock right — voting.

Fueling Advocacy with Analytics

ACLU of Colorado’s We Are the Vote campaign was the first to leverage the power of data analytics to strengthen our capacity in campaign planning, base building, and public education.

Art the Vote: Empowering Young Voters

In any social justice movement, you will always find creatives. Artists help us imagine a new world or illuminate what is not said nor easily seen.

deborah richardson speaking at 2022 toward liberty event

Toward Liberty: 70 Years of Action

Nearly 400 guests gathered in person for the first time since 2019 to share their passion for ACLU of Colorado’s mission and to honor community members and organizations making a profound and lasting impact across Colorado.

2022 Toward Liberty Honorees

September marked a special time for our organization. Meet our honorees.

Meet our New Staff

Anaya Robinson

Anaya Robinson is a Latinx queer trans man, born and raised in West Michigan, who now calls Denver home.

Sophia Mayott-Guerrero

Raised in the San Luis Valley in Colorado, Sophia grew up with a family that instilled the importance of organizing, art, and social change.

Meet Our Board: Dr. Maurice "Scotty" Scott

“I joined the ACLU because the name 'ACLU' was elevated in my household all my life. My parents were very clear with me that, but for the ACLU, their marriage would not exist and, as such, neither would I.”

Ensuring "First" Milestones are Not the Last

“Becoming the first Black woman to sit on the Colorado State Dealer Board as President was an honor and a disappointment.”